[ALBSA-Info] Press articles on criminality in SE Europe

[Agron Alibali]

The Washington Times 

April 20, 2001, Friday, Final Edition 

PART A; COMMENTARY; Pg. A16 

 Where terrorists stalk without fear 

Arnold Beichman; THE WASHINGTON TIMES 

On Sept. 5, 1972, the Olympic Games in Munich became the scene of a horrifying tragedy: 11 Israeli athletes were assassinated by a Palestinian terrorist group which called itself "Black September," a covert unit of the Palestine Liberation Organization. 

Could such an atrocity happen again? Yes. The odds are high it could happen at the 2004 Olympic Games with this difference: This time the target would be American athletes. Incredible? 

In Greece, scene of the 2004 Olympics, assassinations of an American diplomat, three American military officers, and the wounding with intent to kill of 30 U.S. officials has occurred over the last 25 years. Even more incredible is that during this reign of terror, there have been no arrests, no suspects, no convictions, no serious police investigations, zilch. The Greek government has done nothing - yes, nothing - to apprehend the criminals, let alone to identify them. In Greece, assassination of Americans has become established routine. Most recently terrorists bombarded the U.S. Embassy in central Athens and assassinated the British defense attache. Earlier, attempts on the lives of the Dutch and German ambassadors were made. No arrests, no suspects, no convictions, no serious investigations. 

Nor are Greek citizens immune from the criminality of "November 17" as the terrorists call themselves to commemorate the suppression of a student uprising by an earlier military dictatorship that took power in 1967. "November 17," in scores of operations, has killed a leading parliamentarian and wounded others, attempted to kill Greek Cabinet members, murdered or mutilated diplomats, judges, industrialists, bankers and physicians. Last year there were 100 political bombings. "November 17" uses high explosives, mortars and rocket grenades, mostly stolen from Greek police and military arsenals. Same story: no arrests, no suspects, no convictions, no serious investigations. 

This terrorist scorecard has been compiled by Wayne Merry, onetime State and Pentagon official, and published in an article in the Weekly Standard titled, "Where terrorists run free." Mr. Merry worked at the U.S. Embassy in Athens for three years, trying in vain to get the Greek government to do something about this reign of terrorism. 

"The chances the terrorists will be caught," he writes, "are very low, but the chances for more American victims are high." 

Mr. Merry says the immunity of "November 17" is the result of political blackmail of the present government. The ruling socialist Pasok Party "fears exposure of its own prior links with November 17" if terrorists were arrested and tried. Exempt from the normal sanctions in a democratic society against murder, "November 17" has "recruited a younger generation of killers, expanded their weaponry, tactics, and targets, and are supremely contemptuous of Greek law enforcement," he writes. The U.S. spends more money protecting embassy and consular personnel in Athens, Mr. Merry has told a House Judiciary subcommittee, than anywhere else on Earth. 

Former President Clinton visited Athens in late 1999 but, says Mr. Merry, "neglected even to raise the unpleasant topic of terrorism, giving Greek leaders precisely the message they wanted. Many senators and congressmen publicly wrap themselves in the POW/MIA flag, but they do not demand justice for Americans killed in the line of duty in Athens." 

Those Americans included: Richard Welch, a CIA officer, gunned down in 1975 in front of his wife on their way home from a Christmas party, two U.S. Navy captains, George Tsantes in 1983 and William Nordeen in 1988 and Air Force Sgt. Ronald Stewart in 1991. So far no arrests, no suspects, no convictions, no serious investigations. 

We are properly concerned that China, guilty of genocide in Tibet and the massacre in 1989 of its citizens in Tiananmen Square, is now seeking the 2008 Olympic Games. Shouldn't there be even greater concern about the Greek government's cowardice in confronting the November 17 criminals? What gives Athens its immunity? Will the Bush administration follow the Clinton line or will it examine shifting the Olympics to another country where Americans and other visitors can feel safe? 

Arnold Beichman, a Hoover Institution Research Fellow, is a columnist for The Washington Times. =========


The Washington Times 

April 29, 2001, Sunday, Final Edition 

SECTION: PART B; COMMENTARY; FORUM; Pg. B5 

LENGTH: 674 words 

HEADLINE: Greece is a platonic place 

BODY: 
Arnold Beichman's diatribe against Greece ("Where Terrorists Stalk Without Fear", April 20) was inspired by former low-ranked State Department official Wayne Merry, who has made it his mission in life to castigate Greece for its anti-terrorism record. 

Even Mr. Merry, whom Mr. Beichman quotes as gospel, might feel uncomfortable with the outrageously immoderate language of his supporter, whose hyperbole reveals not merely ignorance of the facts, but a fixed purpose of denigration despite the facts. Examples: "In Greece, assassination of Americans has become established routine," or, "Most recently terrorists bombarded the U.S. Embassy in central Athens." 

Neither these allegations, nor another which speaks of "100 political bombings" give a true and unprejudiced picture. Nobody in Greece is pleased that a singularly elusive and tightly controlled small group of criminals, acting sporadically against targeted individuals (mostly Greeks), have so far escaped justice. This is not for lack of political will, as is claimed by Messrs. Merry and Beichman without any supportive evidence. 

Mr. Beichman is totally silent on the energized anti-terrorism efforts of the Greek police and security authorities, in ever-growing cooperation with their colleagues in the U.S., Scotland Yard and other European law enforcement agencies. Last September, Greek Public Order Minister Michalis Chrisohoidis signed an agreement with the United States on combating organized crime and terrorism. The FBI has operated an office in Athens for more than 10 years, and Greek counterterrorism officers are trained in the U.S. 

A special force has also been set up to tightly control the borders. Among recent antiterrorism measures that show the Greek government's determination to put an end to the terrorist scourge that has hit many countries around the world, including the U.S: a reward of more than $4 million has been offered, confidential hotlines have been established, a public information campaign has been launched and legislative changes foresee non-jury trials for terrorists, DNA testing and a witness protection program. 

Judging from the public outcry and Greek media commentary, the Greek people are outraged by terrorism's toll in terms of human lives destroyed, reputation damaged and Greek national interests compromised. The authorities will not rest until the perpetrators are brought to justice. 

With one of Europe's lowest crime rates, Greece remains one of the world's safest countries, receiving each year some 12 million foreign visitors who, never the target of terrorists, feel entirely secure. The issue of security is one of particular importance in view of the 2004 Olympic Games, when the eyes of the world will be focused on Athens. A comprehensive security plan, employing thousands of special security units and a citywide network of surveillance cameras has earned the approval of the International Olympic Committee. 

Similarly, in a comment last February dismissing Mr. Merry's warnings as groundless, the U.S. State Department spokesman mentioned the consultations between Greece and an international security advisory group for the Olympics, that includes U.S. experts. And Secretary of State Colin Powell also said in February "I am confident that the Greek authorities will do everything to make sure that the Games go off safely." 

Last month, President George W. Bush described Greece as "a powerful force for good in the world. . . . All the world will see this in vivid display when Athens hosts the Olympics of 2004." His father, former President Bush, when he visited Greece earlier this month, looked forward to watching the 2004 Games in Athens. Despite doomsayers like Messrs. Beichman and Merry, we are confident that in 2004, millions of visitors to Greece and billions watching on television will enjoy a unique celebration of sport and culture linking the ancient with the modern. 

ACHILLES PAPARSENOS 

The author is the press counselor of the Embassy of Greece 

=========

The Washington Times 

May 14, 2001, Monday, Final Edition 

PART A; COMMENTARY; EDITORIALS; LETTERS; Pg. A16 

 Athens provides more than spartan safety 


On behalf of the board of the Hellenic Association of Columbia University, I would like to respond to Arnold Beichman's April 20 Commentary column, "Where terrorists stalk without fear." We believe that Mr. Beichman's column creates a misleading impression about incidents of terrorism in Greece. Terrorism, specifically politically-motivated terrorism, is an international phenomenon. Greece, unfortunately, has had its own share of related incidents, with the terrorist organization "November 17" being at the core of the problem. The Greek government, in collaboration with U.S. and British agencies, have attempted to solve this problem over the years, but the terrorist organization still exists despite some breakthroughs in the official investigation. At the same time though, there is no doubt that Greece continues to be a very safe place for its citizens and its guests. Practically all terrorist attacks in Greece have been against particular individuals with political or military power and are not random acts of violence that would endanger the general public. The severity of terrorist attacks in Greece has been significantly lower than in most countries, and it is unfair to single it out the manner that Mr. Beichman has. 

We believe that Mr. Beichman's fear that American athletes and visitors attending the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens will be in danger is unrealistic. Greece, and Athens in particular, have been very successful in organizing international athletic events. For example, the World Track and Field Championship held in Athens in 1999 received international acclaim. 

Based on Mr. Beichman's argument, there are very few countries in the world that could and should host the Olympic Games. A bomb exploded among innocent visitors during the Games in Atlanta in 1996. Should the United Stated be forever banned from hostingany international event? We are not experts on international terrorism, but we do know that Greece is a very safe country. Athens is taking the organization of the Olympic Games very seriously, and it will not be vulnerable to terrorist attacks. 

ARETI TSIOLA 

New York 

===

Belfast News Letter 

May 14, 2001, Monday 

NEWS; Pg. 11 

CASH FOR TERROR VICTIM WIDOW 




THE Belfast-born widow of the British military attache murdered by Greek terrorists last year is to be offered financial compensation. 

The terrorist group N17 claimed responsibility for killing 52 year old Brigadier Stephen Saunders who was shot four times with a .45 calibre pistol by a motorbike gunman in a traffic jam in Athens last June. 

The Greek government, it was learned yesterday, will offer a substantial undisclosed sum to his widow, Heather, and daughters, Nicola and Catherine. 

The compensation will be offered before next month's anniversary of the murder when Mrs Saunders will address a memorial service in Athens. 

She said yesterday: "All contributions are welcome but I don't want this to be a means of wiping the slate clean. 

"I want to see those responsible brought to justice and no amount of compensation will bring Stephen back", Mrs Saunders added. 

The Greek government has been stung by all- egations of incompetence in bringing the terrorists to justice for the killing of both Mr Saunders and Costis Peraticos, a British citizen who was shot dead in Athens in 1997 during rush- hour traffic. 

He left a widow and two young sons. 

His murder, too, was carried out by N17 terrorists. 

Scotland Yard has had a presence in Athens since Brigadier Saunders' death but has been hampered by the failure of police to preserve forensic evidence in the vital hour after the shooting or even to seal the street. 

A Foreign Office source said yesterday: "They dealt with Saunders' murder as British police might have dealt with a traffic accident. 

"He was barely alive in the back of a vehicle and the police priority was to keep the traffic moving." 

A senior member of SO13, Scotland Yard's anti-terrorist branch, has just returned to London from Athens to brief Sir John Stevens, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner. 



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